Bora Bora: The First Born

The most coveted island destination in the world is also its most beautiful. Less than one hour by flight from Tahiti or Moorea, upon approach the sight of Bora Bora's commanding Mount Otemanu rising up from the perfectly crystalline lagoon to pierce the blue sky above will take even the most jaded traveler's breath away. The ancient Tahitians called it Pora Pora, the first born island, said to be fished up from the ocean floor by their god Ta'aroa. This is the epicenter of the romantic universe, every honeymooner's dream, a place where perfect white sand beaches give way to turquoise waters, where colorful fish glide among the coral gardens, and majestic manta rays fly in an underwater heaven, where luxurious resorts with their dreamy overwater bungalows draw lovers like a siren song from around the globe.

The island itself is volcanic, and surrounded first by calm protected waters, then a ring of sand-fringe islets, with an outer coral reef that shelters it completely from the open ocean. As a result, the water of the lagoon is characterized by its incredible warmth, calmness, and clarity. The lagoon is relatively shallow, and lends itself perfectly to aquatic-centered activities, including sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, standup paddleboarding and kayaking. Truly, if paradise exists on earth, it is here on Bora Bora, an island everyone dreams to visit at least once in a lifetime.